Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 488: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the amount spent by his Department on briefcases; the amount refunded to staff in his Department in respect of purchases of briefcases; the number of staff who have received briefcases; the number of staff who have received refunds for briefcases they purchased; the largest single amount paid or refunded in respect of one briefcase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29400/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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Since my Department was established in June 2002, it has purchased one briefcase at a cost of €90. No staff received refunds in respect of briefcases they purchased themselves.

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 489: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of personal digital assistants provided to staff in his Department; the cost of same; the cost of the most expensive personal digital assistant purchased to date; the grades to which these devices are issued; if personal digital assistants are issued as a matter of course or are subject to preparation of a business case which is subsequently scrutinised; if so, by whom the final decision on allocation of personal digital assistants is made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29415/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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Seven personal digital assistants are presently available to officials in my Department. These digital assistants are issued only on the basis of a sound business case, the final decision on which is made by the Department's head of information technology services.

The overall cost of these devices, purchased between 2002 and this year, is €2,439.30. The cost of the most expensive was €500.00.